‘Racism in its most dangerous form' – Irish Olympian condemns attack on Larne Leisure Centre as Ballymena unrest spreads
AN IRISH Olympic swimmer who is a member of Larne Swimming Club has spoken of her sadness at the attack on Larne Leisure Centre.
Danielle Hill, who also coaches younger children at the club, said the leisure centre was a safe space for so many.
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Larne Leisure Centre was damaged during a third night of unrest in Northern Ireland
Credit: Reuters
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Olympic swimmer Hill has condemned what unfolded on Wednesday evening
In a post on
She outlined: 'I have proudly represented on the world stage. No child should ever be forced to witness masked men in their home community.
'The local leisure centre is a safe place for so many, from young children (as young as six) learning to swim to elderly residents, has now been transformed into a place marked by fear and trauma.
'What unfolded last night was not just violence – it was racism in its rawest and most dangerous form.
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"Young people seeking 'fun' in a senseless act of vandalism.
"And its consequences are already being felt; a local community torn apart, families left frightened, workers left without incomes.
"The harm is not abstract – it is here, it is local and it is devastating.'
The 25-year-old also encouraged rebuilding.
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She pleaded: 'This is a moment to come together, not fall apart. Let's keep talking. Let's keep listening.
"As we have done so many times before, let's lead with compassion, stand up for one another and show the strength of our community through our support – for every child and every family that calls this centre a home. Time to rebuild.'
Masked yobs set fire to NI leisure centre 'used to house locals fleeing riots' as violence hits Ballymena for 3rd night
More rioting
Yobs attacked police with petrol bombs, hatchets and fireworks in the main flashpoint of Ballymena.
Police battled
Unrest spread to other towns yesterday evening, including Coleraine and Larne – where the leisure centre was set on fire by masked vandals.
Swimming classes were taking place in the community centre, which was temporarily being used as an emergency centre for those who were forced to flee their homes that were set on fire by yobs.
'NO EXCUSE'
Local Alliance Party lawmaker, Danny Donnelly said bricks were thrown through the windows and staff had to barricade themselves in before running out the back door.
Northern Ireland's Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, a DUP representative for the area, said: "There is absolutely no excuse for what has taken place in Larne and it must be condemned."
Elsewhere, social media footage appeared to show an established fire on train tracks running through Coleraine. Police said youths were setting fires at a roundabout in the town of Newtownabbey.
The violence initially erupted after two 14-year-old boys were arrested and appeared in court on Monday, accused of a serious sexual assault on a teenage girl in Ballymena.
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